What are your "to die for" Makita cordless tools?

[Kev]

I'm borderline on grabbing a new cordless trimmer / router from Makita. If there was another tool in the Makita cordless range that's a stand out that you don't see from Festool Dewalt or Metabo I could be swayed towards the blue.

 

[LooseSox]

I've got the corded version of that router and it is my go to of all 4 routers I own. With the plunge base it is amazing at pretty much everything requiring a 1/4" shank. I've just picked up the template gudie that allows use of 'porter cable' type bushings and the rail guide adaptet works on festool tracks too.

 

[LooseSox]

Basically what I'm saying is that if you are borderline in getting it, do yourself a favour and get it. I haven't used the cordless one (I run Bosch for all my cordless gear) but have heard it is identical to the corded version in performance and all the accessories are compatible.

 

[huntdupl]

Any idea when this cordless is going to drop?

 

[southrider]

The 18v impact  - hands down. Festool has nothing like it.

 

[Peter_C]

A large majority of my cordless tools are Makita. Reciprocating saw, circular saw, small blower, impacts, drills, grinder, sander, multi-tool, and probably more I am forgetting. From there I transition into Milwaukee's M12 line, and recently into their 18volt line. One tool I will swear by because it gets a lot of use is my cordless caulking gun. Makita makes an 18volt version (Mine is M12). For gluing subfloor etc with thick glues your hand will thank you. For laying a near perfect bead of caulk a long distance, nothing beats a cordless caulking gun. If you don't already own a multi-tool you should have one. Cordless lighting is great to have, although all mine is Milwaukee. 

Honestly I do not see a big advantage for the cordless router, but I am sure there are uses.

 

[Harry1561]

I've got the variable speed impact driver, been using it for the last 8 years just love it! !

 

[huntdupl]

I ordered the Japanese Makita TD148DZ impact driver off ebay after the onslaught of post and reviews via social media. I've had had it for almost two years and I still think you'll be hard pressed to find another compact with the same power. It's brushless with 3 torque settings plus a smart sense setting. I learned quickly to invest in quality bits such as the B-12326, Impact Gold, now ImpactX. It's more affordable than a comparable Festool and as with most manufactures, Makita is constantly delivery cordless everything from a caulk gun to finish nailer. I was previously Milwaukee but have since moved on. Will handle 5" no problem. See instagram for some show downs. Worth every penny

 

[aloysius]

Mak drills are excellent, but so are many others.  Where Makita tends to lead the pack, & by a clear-air margin, is with rattlers.  Nobody else's even gets close.

Not all their cordless tools are so universally excellent,however, with some being downright dreadful.  Some years ago there was no end of trouble with failing 3-speed drill gearboxes, and I once briefly owned a Makita drill/hammer/rattler combi tool that was nigh on unusable.  For a while their Li-ion cordless grinder was a valid contender for the absolute worst cordless tool of all time award.  Hopefully the newer generation with their EC motors are better.

Some are mere gimmickry:  an 18v cordless coffee dripolator anybody?

Makita never really got to grips properly with their tools' ergonomics in the way that some of their peers have.  Their SDS hammers, whilst extremely powerful & good performers have always tended to be front-heavy, poorly balanced and extremely difficult to use in single handed mode or in inaccessible corners.

I've never really been a fan of their battery platform, either.  Early Lithium batteries tended to have short service lives, and many tools still lack basic battery protective mechanisms, whilst the individual cells didn't especially like the Makita fast (22 min) charger.  Deep &/or heavy discharge tends to shorten battery life dramatically.

In general Makita has an overall superior, more extensive range of reliable, value-for-money cordless tools than anybody else produces, which seem to go the distance.  As early adopters of many new technologies, they haven't always got it perfectly right every time, but in general offer a more comprehensive, better performing & much more reliable suite of tools than their most obvious competitors - Hitachi Koki & TTI/Milwaukee.

 

[DB10]

Well my Makita Lithium batteries are still working well after 10 years, so no complaints here. As for outstanding cordless tools I doubt many of them are any better than the other large manufacturers offerings but what is in their favour is the extensive line up of cordless tools they offer, some of them gimmicks like the cordless push bike and coffee maker and some more useful tools like the cordless sander and Router, both designed for quick small jobs which makes them so useful to own.

 

[NHSP759]

Absolutely love the DJV181 barrel grip 18v. I use the Carvex in the shop and the Makita pretty much everywhere else. I also love the new subcompact impactor XDT15. Use my 18vX2 chainsaw all the time and my 18v sander is great for work out of the shop.

 

[nclemmons]

Get their small brushless drill/driver set.  Amazing setup and so small.  18v and runs forever.

 

[VW mick]

Hi kev

I just needed an impact for a decking job

But the little buggers keep multiplying. They are so handy and really quite cheep body only

I've only 3 batts but the 5ah seem to last really well. Cordless grinder is ordered lol [attachimg=1]